I love living in a small town. But it has its drawbacks. Take for instance the gossip that floats from one back porch to another, the story building with each telling. One such rumor of late is that The Commencement condo building is in trouble. The project manager strongly denies the claim. Paul Wageman stated, "The Commencement has not failed and is not in receivership. We are continuing on, with our plan to finish the building and sell out the remaining units over the next four and half years."
Although the active sounds of construction may have quieted for the time being, it does not mean the project has gone under. From a financial standpoint, this town needs this project to succeed. From a community standpoint, we need to be cautious repeating unverified rumors. Just my two cents worth on the issue...
Karen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
The sales center was not open this Sunday. Wonder why? Must be too nice of a day to be troubled with having to show units.
My 2 cents.
But they were open yesterday...
For the sake of accuracy and responsible journalism, check the County forecloures list that many real estate investors look at daily. The Commencement is listed in receivership; our mayor has also confirmed that the Commencement is in receivership.
You, Karen, have a responsibility to find out the truth before you print what you've just printed. Why would you take the builder's word alone that he is solvent and then publicly back it up on your blog as the truth? Yes, you want local businesses to succeed, I understand that, but at the cost of ignoring the facts?
Have you even looked at the official foreclosures list?
I think that you are the one perpetuating rumors, when you back up the Commencment's claim that it is not in receivership and is doing business as usual.
Hey, the courthouse receivership list has the Commencement listed. What givz? Maybe they are fighting the banks on receivership? Whatever, they are on that llist - someone reliabel has just looked at it and sez yes, the C is there. Whose lying, you and the Commencment guy who say no way, or the real estate guy and the mayor who say yes?????????
To those leaving anonymous comments alleging this information is incorrect, you'll need to provide more information so I can verify your claims before I'll allow them to be posted. I've checked county court records, real estate listings (including realtor-only lists) and find your allegations are not true. Mayor Hopkins confirmed today that The Commencement is not in recievership.
Did you quit posting those comments on "Free Ruston"?
In this case, these apparently false comments can have negative financial impacts. I've been threatened with one lawsuit already, so I'm being cautious. I don't have any connection to the Free Ruston site, and these nameless commenters can post their own thoughts without my help.
I don't know anything about this issue but I did notice today that the store in Don's building called CLEVER has quit business. It's emptied out and space is completely vacant.
The Commencement real estate sales office was open for three years and made only one or two real sales. That's not rumor. In my opinion the poor sales reflects either incompetence and a bad business model of the Commencement's owners; or the economy has taken its toll. Either way, this project remains an unwanted one by the majority of our community, though I admit a much wanted one by a minority of residents.
This said, what do we have now? Some say the Commencement is in bankruptcy and the owner and Ruston Home say it isn't. Whatever is the truth, what we do see now is a big, empty building by day, augmented with dozens of blinding lights on at night.
Can't we at least require the owners to do something about those lights? They make the building look like a penitentiary, which we know it isn't; but it can't be good for business or future sales. And it would allow more residents to get a better night's sleep.
The mayor has reported at more than one council meeting that he is working with the building owners to resolve the exterior lighting issue. My understanding is that the lights that were installed were within the scope of the approved building permit.
Not sending posts to Free Ruston in favor of being cautious makes no sense because it's inconsistent. You are still sending posts you dont agree with or can't verify to Free Ruston. Deciding not to send some posts because you are afraid of a lawsuit is all guess work on your part. From what I've seen of past posts you've sent to the other blogsite you are already in plenty of risk of lawsuits.
I encourage anyone who wants to say things that I won't allow here to go to the Free Ruston site and make their statement for themselves.
Someone's been pulling your leg, Karen. You said that Paul Wagemann told you that the Comencement is not in bankruptcy. The mayor, you said, confirmed that it is not in bankruptcy. What more do people need to know?
The family that is living there may be lonely for 64 more neighbors but they do seem to be staying.
WOW. They may be gone off the council but apparently supporters are still out there somewhere lurking in the darkness.
Post a Comment